Cooking for the Holidays

It took me months to perfect a creamy chicken noodle soup recipe for the instant pot. Because the soup is basically chicken and broth with vegetables, the only difference each time was the consistency of the soup. I really wanted a creamy soup instead of a watery soup. Most of us think of the popular […]

Food poisoning is never a welcome guest in any home! Avoiding it altogether is the best remedy, but you also need to know the symptoms of food poisoning. In this article, we will discuss both the preventive measures every cook should practice, as well as the symptoms for spotting it. Some of these suggestions may […]

Over the years, I have meet a lot of people who loved mashed potatoes, but had no idea how to make them. This mashed potatoes recipe is easy if you have the basic recipe below. My mother’s recipe for mashed potatoes is easily one of the most requested sides in our family. I admit, until […]

Not everyone likes turkey. This chicken & dressing casserole recipe is a great alternative for turkey and dressing. Because this recipe is made with Pepperidge Farm dressing mix and cream of mushroom soup, it is a very easy casserole to make once the chicken is cooked. Our family eats this chicken & dressing casserole year […]

As the cool weather moves in, we turn to warm, even hot, drinks. One of my personal favorites is my own homemade Spice Tea recipe. The recipe is easy to mix together and a hot cup of spice tea is extremely easy to make once the recipe is ready. My sister originally gave me a […]

For as long as I can remember, I have made a delicious salmon loaf. It has only been in my adult years that I started cutting the salmon loaf into salmon patties. Either way, this salmon loaf recipe is fast, easy and fabulous. When I was a child, my mom made this salmon loaf recipe […]

If you were raised on a farm, shucking and cooking fresh corn on the cob is routine. However, not everyone was raised on a farm, yet we enjoy fresh corn that doesn’t come from the frozen food section in the grocery store. During the summer, freshly picked corn on the cob is available in many […]

When I was a little girl, I “helped” my grandmother make homemade jams and jellies. As soon as we picked fresh fruit, I knew we would start making jam soon. I always enjoyed working with my grandmother regardless of the job. However, making homemade jam was one of my favorite chores because it yielded delicious […]

Chicken Crescents are a delicious way to prepare chicken for dinner, or even lunch. I always serve my chicken crescents with vegetable sides like cream corn, green beans, steamed veggies, etc. You may wish to liven up the meal by adding a spicy sauce side instead of the milder plain or steamed vegetables. Ranch […]

Anytime I boil chicken breasts for a casserole, I boil extra chicken to make Homemade Chicken Salad. It doesn’t take a lot of chicken for my Chicken Salad recipe, usually only 1 breast, but it is easy to make more. This recipe is based on 2 cups of chopped chicken, but I frequently double the […]

During the school year, we are always looking for a fast and easy breakfast. What a joy it is when it can also be scrumptious and nutritious. When our children were in elementary school, their pediatrician recommended eggs for breakfast. He believed protein was a necessary part of a students diet and would satiate their […]

Sherbet Punch is a Great Party Drink Over the years, I have served this Sherbet Punch Recipe at bridal showers, baby showers, graduation parties, Halloween parties, luncheons, teas, etc. and guests always ask for the recipe. Of course, I am always happy to share the recipe for this delicious punch with my friends and family. […]

Cooking a Baked Potato Everyone I know loves a Baked Potato, but not everyone knows how to make them. Baking potatoes in the oven is really very easy. Potatoes are one of my favorite foods to eat or cook. I frequently add potatoes to our meals simply because everyone likes potatoes, even if they are […]

Chocolate Covered Bananas are Fun to Make and Delicious to Eat My children love Chocolate Covered Bananas! They always make a great after school treat, weekend treat, party food, or even as an appetizer at a dinner party. Since bananas are so easy to dip in chocolate, making them is really not very time-consuming and […]

Stenciled Cupcakes – Decorate Holiday Cupcakes with Stencils Decorating stenciled cupcakes for fall or for the holidays is a fast and easy way to decorate cupcakes with festive designs. With just a bit of powdered confectioner’s sugar, I turned these chocolate cupcakes from drab to fab in a few short minutes. It is really very […]

Make Your Own Mix and Save Money If you are looking for a way to warm up this Fall, why not make your own Hot Chocolate Mix and save money! This Hot Chocolate Mix recipe is my favorite hot chocolate. Add a few marshmallows on top and viola, the perfect cup of Hot Chocolate. This […]

The Cupcake Pumpkin Cake You will be amazed at how easy it is to make this awesome cupcake pumpkin! This pumpkin, made with mini cupcakes, is a lovely decoration for your Halloween table. It is also a delicious cupcake treat. The Cupcake Pumpkin is certain to be the talk of your Halloween party! […]

Chocolate Covered Kiwi is Fun to Make and Delicious to Eat Have you ever eaten a Kiwi? Have you ever tried Chocolate Dipped Kiwi? Kiwifruit is harvested in the fall and is a delicious, pretty little green fruit that is a rich source of Vitamin C. It is grown in several countries, but it is […]

Celebrate the 4th of July Each year we have a party on the 4th of July and my mom brings her fabulous 4th of July cake. There are always a few invited guests to our home, but the group seems to grow once the fireworks begin. Our city hosts an annual community fireworks display which […]

My Homemade Lemonade Recipe is a fabulous summertime drink recipe and it is extremely easy to make. I have shared this recipe with friends more times than I can remember. Since I grew up making lemonade, it always surprises me when someone asks for my recipe. It previously never occurred to me that anyone would […]

Main Course Recipes

It took me months to perfect a creamy chicken noodle soup recipe for the instant pot. Because the soup is basically chicken and broth with vegetables, the only difference each time was the consistency of the soup. I really wanted a creamy soup instead of a watery soup. Most of us think of the popular […]

Not everyone likes turkey. This chicken & dressing casserole recipe is a great alternative for turkey and dressing. Because this recipe is made with Pepperidge Farm dressing mix and cream of mushroom soup, it is a very easy casserole to make once the chicken is cooked. Our family eats this chicken & dressing casserole year […]

For as long as I can remember, I have made a delicious salmon loaf. It has only been in my adult years that I started cutting the salmon loaf into salmon patties. Either way, this salmon loaf recipe is fast, easy and fabulous. When I was a child, my mom made this salmon loaf recipe […]

Chicken Crescents are a delicious way to prepare chicken for dinner, or even lunch. I always serve my chicken crescents with vegetable sides like cream corn, green beans, steamed veggies, etc. You may wish to liven up the meal by adding a spicy sauce side instead of the milder plain or steamed vegetables. Ranch […]

Anytime I boil chicken breasts for a casserole, I boil extra chicken to make Homemade Chicken Salad. It doesn’t take a lot of chicken for my Chicken Salad recipe, usually only 1 breast, but it is easy to make more. This recipe is based on 2 cups of chopped chicken, but I frequently double the […]

My Roast Recipe In my opinion, there is nothing better than a great roast for dinner. Especially a roast cooked with potatoes and carrots. When you come from a family as large as mine, you better know how to cook a roast and you better know how to cook for crowds. An all time family […]

Beware! Spider Pizza Instructions Shown Halloween is always very busy. Between decorating the front porch, dressing in costumes, taking our children trick or treating, and handing out candy to our own guests, we can get a bit overwhelmed. Dinner tends to be completely forgotten. Everyone is just too busy to worry about cooking or eating. […]

A Delicious Recipe for Chicken Enchiladas My family loves my Chicken Enchiladas recipe! My enchiladas are fairly easy to make and they really are quite delicious, even if I do say so myself. This recipe makes more than enough enchiladas for our family of four. Normally, I freeze half of the enchiladas for another dinner. […]

Save lots of money and make your own delicious barbeque sandwiches in your home with my Barbeque Recipe. Barbeque sandwiches are my husband’s favorite meal. I do believe the man could eat them every day and be most content. However, eating out has always been more expensive than cooking at home and in the current […]

For many years now, I have been the designated turkey baker in our family mainly because I know how to bake a turkey that is tender and delicious. I grew up watching my mother prepare the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, so it naturally followed that one day that task would fall to me. I am […]

As the cool weather moves in, we turn to warm, even hot, drinks. One of my personal favorites is my own homemade Spice Tea recipe. The recipe is easy to mix together and a hot cup of spice tea is extremely easy to make once the recipe is ready. My sister originally gave me a […]

Sherbet Punch is a Great Party Drink Over the years, I have served this Sherbet Punch Recipe at bridal showers, baby showers, graduation parties, Halloween parties, luncheons, teas, etc. and guests always ask for the recipe. Of course, I am always happy to share the recipe for this delicious punch with my friends and family. […]

Make Your Own Mix and Save Money If you are looking for a way to warm up this Fall, why not make your own Hot Chocolate Mix and save money! This Hot Chocolate Mix recipe is my favorite hot chocolate. Add a few marshmallows on top and viola, the perfect cup of Hot Chocolate. This […]

My Homemade Lemonade Recipe is a fabulous summertime drink recipe and it is extremely easy to make. I have shared this recipe with friends more times than I can remember. Since I grew up making lemonade, it always surprises me when someone asks for my recipe. It previously never occurred to me that anyone would […]

Do you know what wines to serve for holiday meals? Not all of us do, but many of us enjoy offering wine as an option to go with those big meals. So, let’s take a look at the different wine varieties and pair them to menu choices. Pairing Wines with Foods First the good news. […]

Welcome to Cooking for the Holidays! Like many successful events, Cooking for the Holidays has multiple “chefs” with expertise in different areas. We have joined together in order to meet [...]Read More

Desserts

Stenciled Cupcakes – Decorate Holiday Cupcakes with Stencils Decorating stenciled cupcakes for fall or for the holidays is a fast and easy way to decorate cupcakes with festive designs. With just a bit of powdered confectioner’s sugar, I turned these chocolate cupcakes from drab to fab in a few short minutes. It is really very […]

The Cupcake Pumpkin Cake You will be amazed at how easy it is to make this awesome cupcake pumpkin! This pumpkin, made with mini cupcakes, is a lovely decoration for your Halloween table. It is also a delicious cupcake treat. The Cupcake Pumpkin is certain to be the talk of your Halloween party! […]

Celebrate the 4th of July Each year we have a party on the 4th of July and my mom brings her fabulous 4th of July cake. There are always a few invited guests to our home, but the group seems to grow once the fireworks begin. Our city hosts an annual community fireworks display which […]

Decorating a Fondant Snake Cake In honor of Year of the Snake 2013, Sylvestermouse and Son joined together once again to create a unique and original cake. Our Snake Cake is easy and fun to decorate. As always, I share step by step instructions for decorating the snake cake, as well as tons of photos […]

The Easiest Recipe for a Great Blackberry Cobbler My Blackberry Cobbler Recipe is really an easy cobbler recipe, but please don’t tell my husband and daughter. It is their favorite dessert and they have no idea just how easy this blackberry cobbler recipe is to make. For them, food just doesn’t get better than hot […]

Strawberry Trifles are Delicious and Beautiful For over 20 years, I have been making this Strawberry Trifle recipe for my family. Because it is red and white, I especially enjoy making a Strawberry Trifle for Christmas, Valentine’s Day or the 4th of July. It is beautiful on any dessert table, buffet, banquet table, or on […]

Our Halloween Ghost Castle Cake Our Chocolate Halloween Ghost Castle Cake is truly a very easy Halloween cake design and a great Halloween table decoration or centerpiece. Since it is edible, this Halloween Ghost castle is perfect for any Halloween party. Because it is a no-bake design, anyone can make it! We wanted to design […]

Our Halloween Ghost Train Cake Our Chocolate Halloween Ghost Train Cake is truly one of the easiest Halloween cake designs I have ever created. I wanted a cake design that children could make with a little help. I believe this no-bake Halloween Train Cake is perfect for big and little hands. By simply layering store-bought […]

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make and decorate Panda Cupcakes? Decorating these Panda Cupcakes is certainly easy and they are really adorably cute. Making, decorating and and serving these Panda Cupcakes, which would be perfect for any occasion! During the years that my children were in elementary school, I became quite a […]

Really Easy Tiered Cake Decorated with Flowers Decorating a tiered cake with flowers is really very easy! By having the right tools and following the simple directions below, you can make a tier cake decorated with flowers that will rival any professionally made cake, but cost a lot less. I have been baking and decorating […]

Tasty Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe Enjoy a tasty strawberry cheesecake recipe for dessert tonight. This strawberry cheesecake recipe is pretty easy to make. While box mixes are convenient, they are often not quite as good as a cake made the old fashioned way by mixing individual ingredients. It takes a little more time and work, but […]

Pumpkin pie happens to be a family favorite. Both my mother and my grandmother made pumpkin pies when I was growing up, but I have been the Pumpkin Pie chef in our family for many years now. You love simple recipes that have easy to follow recipe directions right? Making a delicious pumpkin pie recipe […]

Decorating a Cake with Bats is Very Easy Bats are my favorite Halloween decoration so, of course, I have to decorate a cake with bats for Halloween. Decorating a Bat Cake for Halloween is really very easy! By simply using a cake stencil and sanding sugar, you too will be able to create delicious cakes […]

Easy Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes Making Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes is really easy! These flower cupcakes are perfect for Easter, birthdays, showers, luncheons, or any party. They are really pretty too! Add flowers and sparkle to your delicious cupcakes by following the instructions below. Step by step photos for making marshmallow flower cupcakes are also included in […]

Say “I Love You” With Heart Cupcakes Decorating Heart Cupcakes is really very easy! Although, a better description of my heart cupcakes would be cupcakes decorated with hearts. I enjoy making special treats for my family that reflect how much I love them. What better way to do that, than to make cupcakes decorated with […]

Side Dishes

Over the years, I have meet a lot of people who loved mashed potatoes, but had no idea how to make them. This mashed potatoes recipe is easy if you have the basic recipe below. My mother’s recipe for mashed potatoes is easily one of the most requested sides in our family. I admit, until […]

If you were raised on a farm, shucking and cooking fresh corn on the cob is routine. However, not everyone was raised on a farm, yet we enjoy fresh corn that doesn’t come from the frozen food section in the grocery store. During the summer, freshly picked corn on the cob is available in many […]

Cooking a Baked Potato Everyone I know loves a Baked Potato, but not everyone knows how to make them. Baking potatoes in the oven is really very easy. Potatoes are one of my favorite foods to eat or cook. I frequently add potatoes to our meals simply because everyone likes potatoes, even if they are […]

Chocolate Covered Kiwi is Fun to Make and Delicious to Eat Have you ever eaten a Kiwi? Have you ever tried Chocolate Dipped Kiwi? Kiwifruit is harvested in the fall and is a delicious, pretty little green fruit that is a rich source of Vitamin C. It is grown in several countries, but it is […]

Chocolate Covered Strawberries are Delicious to Eat and Are Great Gifts Chocolate Covered Strawberries are a delicacy and are often very expensive if purchased from a candy store. They are one of my favorite treats. Over the years, my husband has purchased several boxes of Chocolate Covered Strawberries for me on our anniversary, for Valentine’s […]

Fast & Easy Recipe for Pasta Shells This is likely to be the easiest pasta recipe ever! My grandmother originally introduced all of us to this fast and easy recipe decades ago. We prepare these pasta shells for every holiday meal and often throughout the year. We have a very large family celebration for Thanksgiving. […]

Chocolate Covered Pineapple is Fun to Make and Delicious to Eat Pineapple is one of those fruits that is delicious in anything, with anything or just by itself. My entire family loves pineapple so, of course, I could not resist dipping it in melted chocolate and serving it as a snack. Chocolate Covered or Dipped […]

Chocolate Covered Oranges are Fun to Make and Delicious to Eat Oranges are a tasty, juicy fruit packed with Vitamin C and I love chocolate dipped oranges or chocolate covered oranges. The combination of citrus and chocolate makes a sweet and tangy treat which culminates in an awesome explosion of flavor! It is very easy […]

Many years ago, I tasted this sweet potato casserole recipe for the first time and thought it was the most delicious combination of flavors I had ever tasted in a sweet potato casserole. For as long as I can remember, we have had a sweet potato casserole served with our holiday dinners, but this particular […]

When I was a little girl, I “helped” my grandmother make homemade jams and jellies. As soon as we picked fresh fruit, I knew we would start making jam soon. I always enjoyed working with my grandmother regardless of the job. However, making homemade jam was one of my favorite chores because it yielded delicious […]

During the school year, we are always looking for a fast and easy breakfast. What a joy it is when it can also be scrumptious and nutritious. When our children were in elementary school, their pediatrician recommended eggs for breakfast. He believed protein was a necessary part of a students diet and would satiate their […]

Quick Quiche Recipe Can Save the Day This quick quiche recipe is delicious and fast to prepare. This is my husband’s quiche recipe and he is always willing to help out in the kitchen. When he cooks breakfast for us, it is truly a treat for me. During the holidays, it seems like we barely […]

As a hostess it is important to me to have plenty of time to spend with my family and guests. In order to do this I start in early November to stock my freezer with items that I can freeze and pull out later to serve guests. One of the items that I like to […]